New Jersey Woman Sentenced To Four Years In Prison For Tossing Dog Into Traffic

Haniyyah Barnes of Newark was arguing with a neighbor when she fatally threw a 2-year-old Shih Tzu into oncoming traffic.

A case from 2011 where a New Jersey woman tossed her neighbor’s dog into oncoming traffic during an argument came to an end this week. Haniyyah Barneswas sentenced to four years in prison on Wednesday and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution to the neighbor, NJ.com reports.

The news outlet shared details of the case, with prosecutors stating that Barnes kicked in Nazirah Bey‘s door in August 2011 over a parking space dispute.

At the time, Bey and Barnes had worked out an agreement that allowed Barnes’ mother to park in her driveway. But on August 26 of that year, Barnes was upset that Bey’s vehicle had blocked in her mother’s car.

The Associated Press reports that Barnes must perform 30 days of community service for an anti-animal cruelty organization. Barnes, 29, was convicted last October on animal cruelty, theft and criminal mischief charges. There was also a pending burglary charge but an Essex County jury did not reach a verdict on the matter. Prosecutors are hoping to retry the case.

After Barnes stormed into the apartment, the dog began barking at her. She then reportedly grabbed the dog by the throat, went outdoors, and threw it into traffic in plain sight of a police officer.

The 2-year-old Shih Tzu named Honey Bey was a beloved fixture in the home. Bey’s father, Daryl Williams, said during the hearing that death of Honey devastated him as the dog provided comfort to him when he was ill.

“I mean, it hurts, ’cause I don’t have a friend no more,” said Williams.

Barnes initially pleaded guilty to the case in April 2014. She will receive credit for six months already served.